The minimum wage was never intended to be a "living wage". By raising it, many entry level type jobs would be eliminated because the work performed would not pay for the wages. As an example, many years ago in fast food places, there were people working the counter, and other people hired to cook, and those who cleaned. In most places now, there are fewer cooks, the counter help assembles the orders, and cooks french fries. The duties of cleaning are also now spread among the people who work there. The result is that jobs have been eliminated, because of higher wages. It hits minority youth especialy hard. The economist Thomas Sowell has written many excellent articles about minimum wages laws and he has an interview on youtube. Well worth the time to read and watch. Higher minimum wages only eliminate jobs and unemployment increases.

The state threatens to cut funding to the 2 systems if we voters don't pass their tax increase, however, they have $4.5 BILLION to spend on a high speed train. Let's see, should the univeristy systems be funded and provide excellent education that serves everyone in the state (directly or indirectly), or should they fund a high speed rail that a few people will use, and the rest of us will have to subsidize every year? It's a no brainer, dump the train and fund the universities, along with the K-12 system. By the way, I predict that few people will use the train. The tickets will probably be costly, and a flight between LA and SF booked in advance might be cheaper. This is not including the subsidy. If you want a cheap way between SF and LA, take a bus.

This is fantastic! I was told by a physics professor who was an engineer that the best engineers are the ones who have actualy built things. They learn how tools work, and they learn first-hand how to modify a design to overcome a problem that crops up. They can then use that knowlege in other designs later, and they learn to look for possible problems in a product. Not only do I support Science and Math programs, but also vocational-technical courses. This is what makes a more rounded and balanced education.